Method to Perform Hydrocarbon System Analysis for Exploration, Production and Development of Hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT

A method and system are provided for exploration, production and development of hydrocarbons. The method involves analyzing a sample for a geochemical signature, which includes a multiply substituted isotopologue signature and/or a position specific isotope signature. Then, historical temperatures are determined based on the signature. The historical temperature is used to define seal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency and/or charge efficiency, which is used to develop or refine an exploration, development, or production strategy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/052,317 filed Sep. 18, 2014 entitled METHOD TO PERFORMHYDROCARBON SYSTEM ANALYSIS FOR EXPLORATION, PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENTOF HYDROCARBONS, the entirety of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field ofgeochemistry and basin modeling. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to systems and methods for determining the presenceand timing of key hydrocarbon system components (e.g. source rockpresence, timing and extent of maturation, migration efficiency, traptiming, seal timing and adequacy, etc.) that can be used to developexploration, development and production strategies.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce various aspects of the art, whichmay be associated with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.This discussion is believed to assist in providing a framework tofacilitate a better understanding of particular aspects of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it should be understood that this section shouldbe read in this light, and not necessarily as admissions of prior art.

The major components and processes associated with the presence ofsubsurface hydrocarbon accumulations in a sedimentary basin include (1)the presence of a source rock from which hydrocarbons can be generated,(2) the burial of the source rock to sufficient temperatures andpressures to result in the generation and expulsion of liquid and/orgaseous hydrocarbons from a source rock (source maturity), (3) presenceof a reservoir of sufficient adequacy to store hydrocarbons, (4)migration of liquid and/or gaseous hydrocarbons to and accumulation in areservoir, and (5) a trap and a seal that prevents significant leakageof hydrocarbons from the reservoir. The relative timing of each of thesecomponents and processes are utilized to determine the existence of anyaccumulation. Each of these components should be present for asubsurface hydrocarbon accumulation to exist.

The presence of some of these components can be addressed adequatelyusing conventional techniques including by direct observation. Forexample, the presence of hydrocarbons at a seep location or insubsurface sediments suggests the presence of a source rock that hasreached sufficient depths to generate hydrocarbons and that thesehydrocarbons have been expulsed from the source. Similarly, duringdrilling of a well reservoir lithologies may be encountered that confirmthe presence of a reservoir. Though helping to confirm presence, suchevidence alone typically provides insufficient information to developexploration, production, and development strategies. For example, ifmultiple source rocks are present in the subsurface, the presence ofhydrocarbons at a seep or in the subsurface may not provide theinformation necessary to determine which source rock has generated thehydrocarbons.

In addition to direct observations techniques, modeling, such as basinmodeling, can be used to provide estimates on some of these components.For example, basin modeling can be used to predict the time in the pastthat source rocks reached sufficient temperatures to generatehydrocarbons, and can further be used to predict how much and what typeof hydrocarbons (e.g., oil and/or gas) were generated through someknowledge of the depths and temperatures the source rock reached as wellas characteristics of the source rock. This information can be providedby direct temperature information (e.g., fluid inclusions present withsource intervals that may or may not have been uplifted can be used toprovide a minimum temperature that a source rock has experienced).Alternatively, the composition of hydrocarbons sampled in the subsurfaceor at the surface can be used to determine what maturities source rockshave reached when the hydrocarbons have a common origin from one sourceinterval. Those maturities are a function of the time and temperature ofburial, and therefore provide an indirect estimate of temperaturehistory. However, significant uncertainty results when directtemperature information from the source rock is not available or whensampled hydrocarbons represent mixtures of hydrocarbons that wereproduced from different source intervals within the subsurface. Giventhis uncertainty, it can often be difficult to determine the timing ofsource rock maturation and migration of hydrocarbons. In addition, it istypically very difficult to determine the timing of trap structurepresence, and the timing of adequate seal presence given the lack ofdirect measures or indicators of these components. Further still, it isoften difficult to determine, in any systems where multiple source rocksare potentially present, which source rock is responsible for thegeneration of hydrocarbons that may ultimately migrate to anaccumulation. Addressing such questions may de-risk the components of ahydrocarbon system. Such information can then be used to explore forhydrocarbons both on a local and regional basis.

As such, there is a need for enhanced techniques that may effectivelydetermine the presence, timing and quality or efficiency of componentswithin the hydrocarbon system. In particular, efficient and costeffective methods for determining (1) the maturity or temperatures thatsource rocks have experienced during burial and the time at which sourcerock(s) reach maturities (e.g., temperatures and pressures) sufficientto generate hydrocarbons, (2) the timing of migration, or charge, ofhydrocarbons into a reservoir, and (3) the timing of trap and adequateseal presence may provide a valuable tool that could be used inhydrocarbon exploration at various business stages, from frontierexploration to extension of proven plays or high-grading prospects inproven plays through field development and exploitation.

SUMMARY

According to disclosed aspects and methodologies, a method forexploration, production and development of hydrocarbons is described.The method comprises obtaining a sample comprising hydrocarbonsassociated with a subsurface source interval; analyzing the sample for ageochemical signature, wherein the geochemical signature comprises oneor more of a multiply substituted isotopologue signature and a positionspecific isotope signature for a one or more specific hydrocarboncompound; determining one or more historical temperatures based on theone or more of multiply substituted isotopologue signature and positionspecific isotope signature; defining one or more of seal timing, traptiming, migration efficiency and charge efficiency based on thedetermined one or more historical temperatures; and developing orrefining an exploration, development, or production strategy based onthe defined one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migrationefficiency and charge efficiency. The method may also be utilized toproduce hydrocarbons based on the exploration, development, orproduction strategy.

In yet another embodiment, a computer system for exploration, productionand development of hydrocarbons is described. The computer systemcomprises a processor; memory in communication with the processor; and aset of instructions stored in memory and accessible by the processor.The set of instructions, when executed by the processor, are configuredto: analyze a hydrocarbon sample associated with a subsurface sourceinterval for a geochemical signature, wherein the geochemical signaturecomprises one or more of a multiply substituted isotopologue signatureand a position specific isotope signature for a one or more specifichydrocarbon compound; determine one or more historical temperaturesbased on the one or more of multiply substituted isotopologue signatureand position specific isotope signature; define one or more of sealtiming, trap timing, migration efficiency and charge efficiency based onthe determined one or more historical temperatures; and develop orrefine an exploration, development, or production strategy based on thedefined one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migration efficiencyand charge efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the present disclosure may becomeapparent upon reviewing the following detailed description and drawingsof non-limiting examples of embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of components of a hydrocarbon systemin a subsurface region.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for determining trap and adequateseal timing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presenttechniques.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for determining source maturity andmaturation timing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent techniques.

FIG. 4 is flow diagram of a method for determining the source ofhydrocarbons in the subsurface in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present techniques.

FIG. 5 is a block a diagram of a computer system in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present techniques.

FIG. 6 is a graph of a hydrocarbon volume generation profile inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present techniques.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description section, the specific embodimentsof the present disclosure are described in connection with preferredembodiments. However, to the extent that the following description isspecific to a particular embodiment or a particular use of the presentdisclosure, this is intended to be for exemplary purposes only andsimply provides a description of the exemplary embodiments. Accordingly,the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments describedbelow, but rather, it includes all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents falling within the true spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

Various terms as used herein are defined below. To the extent a termused in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the definitionpersons in the pertinent art have given that term in the context inwhich it is used.

As used herein, “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity.As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more”, and “at least one” canbe used interchangeably herein unless a limit is specifically stated.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “comprises,” “comprise,”“comprised,” “containing,” “contains,” “contain,” “having,” “has,”“have,” “including,” “includes,” and “include” are open-ended transitionterms used to transition from a subject recited before the term to oneor more elements recited after the term, where the element or elementslisted after the transition term are not necessarily the only elementsthat make up the subject.

As used herein, “exemplary” means exclusively “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as exemplaryis not to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherembodiments.

As used herein “hydrocarbons” are generally defined as molecules formedprimarily of carbon and hydrogen atoms such as oil and natural gas.Hydrocarbons may also include other elements or compounds, such as, butnot limited to, halogens, metallic elements, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur,hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Hydrocarbons may beproduced from hydrocarbon reservoirs through wells penetrating ahydrocarbon containing formation. Hydrocarbons derived from ahydrocarbon reservoir may include, but are not limited to, petroleum,kerogen, bitumen, pyrobitumen, asphaltenes, tars, oils, natural gas, orcombinations thereof. Hydrocarbons may be located within or adjacent tomineral matrices within the earth, termed reservoirs. Matrices mayinclude, but are not limited to, sedimentary rock, sands, silicilytes,carbonates, diatomites, and other porous media.

As used herein, “hydrocarbon production” refers to any activityassociated with extracting hydrocarbons from a well or other opening.Hydrocarbon production normally refers to any activity conducted in oron the well after the well is completed. Accordingly, hydrocarbonproduction or extraction includes not only primary hydrocarbonextraction but also secondary and tertiary production techniques, suchas injection of gas or liquid for increasing drive pressure, mobilizingthe hydrocarbon or treating by, for example chemicals or hydraulicfracturing the wellbore to promote increased flow, well servicing, welllogging, and other well and wellbore treatments.

As used herein the term “isotope” refers to one of two or more atomswith the same atomic number but with different numbers of neutrons.Hydrocarbon molecules may contain a variety of isotopes. Hydrocarbonmolecules contain both carbon and hydrogen atoms. Carbon can be presentin the molecule as one of two stable isotopes: ¹²C, which has 6 protonsand 6 neutrons (shown herein as C); and, in much lower concentrations,¹³C, which has 6 protons and 7 neutrons. Similarly, hydrogen can bepresent in a molecule as one of two stable isotopes: H, which contains 1proton but no neutron; and, in much lower concentrations, Deuterium (D),which has 1 proton and 1 neutron.

As used herein, the term “hydrocarbon system” refers to therelationships between required components and the processes required forthe presence of any subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation as described byMagoon and Dow. See, e.g., Magoon and Dow, The Petroleum System—fromsource to trap: AAPG Memoir 60, pp. 3-24 (1994).

As used herein the term “hydrocarbon system component” refers to itemsthat are present for the presence of a subsurface hydrocarbonaccumulation, comprising one or all of a source rock, reservoir rock, aseal rock, and overburden rock.

As used herein, the term “hydrocarbon system processes” refers to eventsthat are present for the presence of any subsurface hydrocarbonaccumulation, comprising trap formation and thegeneration-migration-accumulation of hydrocarbons.

As used herein the term “historical temperature”, refers to anytemperature from the point of generation of the hydrocarbon to thetemperature at the point of extraction from the reservoir.

As used herein the term “basin modeling”, refers generally to any methodor analysis, computerized or otherwise, that provides a representationof the history of a sedimentary basin or other subsurface section ofinterest and/or an estimate of timing of any component of a hydrocarbonsystem (including but not limited to a burial history, time a specificsubsurface location or layer reached a certain temperature or maturity,or for how long a location was in a certain temperature range, timing ofexpulsion, migration, accumulation etc.). Generally a basin model isbased on and/or constrained by measured or derived data representingpresent day conditions (e.g. stratigraphy, current bottom holetemperature, heat flow) or a condition in the past (e.g. water depth) onwhich a model of the past history of the area of interest is based. Thecalculations may be performed using a processor or other computersystem.

As used herein the term “signatures” refers to the relative abundances,concentrations and/or ratios of various elements, isotopes, positionswithin a compound and isotopologues of a given species.

As used herein the term “isotopologue” refers generally to moleculesthat have the same chemical composition, but have a different isotopicsignature. For example, methane contains 1 atom of carbon and four atomsof hydrogen. Each atom in the methane structure can contain one of thetwo stable isotopes of that atom, and as such there are 10 possibleisotopologues of methane.

As used herein the term “multiply substituted isotopologue” refersgenerally to an isotopologue that contains at least two rare isotopes inits structure. For example, a multiply substituted methane isotopologuemust contain one ¹³C atom and one D atom, or at least 2 D atoms in theabsence of a ¹³C atom.

As used herein the term “clumped isotopologue” refers generally to anisotopologue that contains at least two rare isotopes that share acommon chemical bond in its structure. For example, a clumpedisotopologue of methane must one ¹³C atom that shares a chemical bondwith at least one D atom.

As used herein the term “position specific isotope effect” refersgenerally to a compound that has multiple positions for a rare isotopeto reside. For example, a position specific isotope effect in propanecould refer to the position of the ¹³C atom, which can be positionedeither at the center of the compound or one of the end positions, or theposition of the D atom, which can be attached to either a central or endposition carbon.

As used herein the term “stochastic distribution” refers generally to asystem where the stable isotopes in a given population of molecules aredistributed randomly among all possible isotopologues of a givenspecies. This stochastic distribution is the reference frame from whichdeviations are measured and is used to provide a baseline to identifyanomalies that may be associated with secondary isotope exchangeprocesses.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the illustratedmethodologies are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to beappreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of theblocks, as some blocks can occur in different orders and/or concurrentlywith other blocks from that shown and described. Moreover, less than allthe illustrated blocks may be required to implement an examplemethodology. Blocks may be combined or separated into multiplecomponents. Furthermore, additional and/or alternative methodologies canemploy additional, not illustrated blocks. While the figures illustratevarious serially occurring actions, it is to be appreciated that variousactions could occur concurrently, substantially in parallel, and/or atsubstantially different points in time.

In the following section, specific embodiments of the present techniquesare described in connection with disclosed aspects and techniques.However, to the extent that the following description is specific to aparticular aspect, technique, or a particular use, this is intended tobe for exemplary purposes only. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited to the disclosed aspects and techniques described below, butrather includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims.

According to aspects of the disclosed methodologies and techniques, themultiply substituted isotopologue signatures and/or position specificisotope effects or signatures of single or numerous co-existingisotopologues of hydrocarbons can be integrated with results from director indirect measurements of temperature (e.g. fluid inclusions,molecular geochemistry) and/or results from basin modeling to determinepresence and timing of one or more components in hydrocarbon systemanalysis to develop or refine exploration, development, or productionstrategies. In particular, these disclosed methodologies and techniquesmay be used to determine components, such as (i) the presence of sourcerock(s), (ii) timing and extent of source rock maturation, and (iii)presence and timing of trap and/or adequate seal presence.

In one or more embodiments, the present techniques may include combiningclumped isotopic signatures of hydrocarbon compounds (e.g., CH₄, C₂H₆,or C₃H₈) with elemental, molecular, and isotopic signatures obtainedfrom gas, oil, water and fluid inclusion samples. The use of multiplysubstituted isotopologue geochemistry may enhance the ability to de-riskspecific aspects of the hydrocarbon system. When combined and integratedwith traditional geochemical techniques, such as molecular (e.g.,methane, ethane, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen), bulk (e.g., mixtures ofgases), stable isotope geochemistry (e.g., carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen,or sulfur) of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases, moleculargeochemistry of oils (e.g. saturate and aromatic compounds), physicalmeasurements (e.g., pressure, volume, and temperature (PVT), and resultsfrom basin modeling approaches (e.g. thermal histories of particularlithologies, yield of hydrocarbons as a function of time or temperature)these techniques provide enhancements to hydrocarbon system analysis todetermine the timing of trap and/or adequate seal presence or timing ofmaturation of the source rocks when presence and timing of other aspectsof the hydrocarbon system are already known. That is, the integration ofthis clumped isotopic signature and/or position specific isotopesignature (e.g., different geochemical tracer) with existing geochemicaland modeling approaches may be utilized to perform hydrocarbon systemanalysis to develop local and regional exploration programs. Thedevelopment of these local and regional exploration programs may bebased on an understanding of how much hydrocarbon has been generated andwhen versus when traps and adequate seals were present, an understandingof the potential fetch areas and potential connected volumes ofhydrocarbons in the subsurface, relationships between nearbyaccumulations given an understanding of absolute and relative timing ofhydrocarbon generation and trap and seal timing between the differentaccumulations, and the migration history and direction and/or migrationand charge efficiency. This technology provides a mechanism to alterexploration, development, and production strategies to maximize thevolumes of hydrocarbon ultimately produced.

Multiply substituted isotopologue geochemistry is based on the variationin the distribution of isotopes within a molecule that gives rise tomolecules that are identical in their elemental composition, but thatmay differ in the isotopic composition of individual atoms within thatmolecule. These species are called isotopologues. For example, there arethree isotopologues of nitrogen (e.g., ¹⁴N₂, ¹⁵N¹⁴N, and ¹⁵N₂). Anisotopologue in which two or more rare isotopes are present in closeproximity (i.e., isotopic “clumps”) is called a multiply-substitutedisotopologue or clumped isotope (e.g., ¹⁵N₂). The hydrocarbonisotopologues involve hydrocarbon compounds, which contain carbon andhydrogen atoms that have natural isotopes of ¹²C, ¹³C, ¹H, or H(deuterium or D). ¹²C represents 98.93 mole percent (mol. %) of thetotal carbon on Earth, while ¹³C forms the remaining 1.07 mol. %.Similarly, the isotopic abundance of ¹H on earth is 99.985 mol. % whileD has an abundance of 0.015 mol. %. Common volatile hydrocarbons havelarge numbers of isotopologues (e.g., methane has 10; ethane has 21;propane has 36). Common isotopologues of methane for example include¹³C¹H₃D or ¹²C¹H₄. In addition to the number of rare isotopes, thedistribution of isotopes in the molecule can also provide information.For example, in a hydrocarbon compound with three carbon atoms, the rareisotope can take either a central or terminal (end of the molecule)position. Similarly, rare isotopes of hydrogen can occupy differentpositions. As the size of the hydrocarbon compound increases, so doesthe number of positions that these rare isotopes can be situated. Thiseffect is called the position specific isotope effect, or isotopomergeochemistry.

The multiply substituted isotopologue signature and the positionspecific isotope signature of any molecule is a function of (i)temperature-independent randomly populated processes (e.g., stochasticdistribution) and (ii) other non-random mass fractionating processes.The stochastic distribution of any isotopologues can be determined fromthe bulk isotope signatures of the species from which it derives. Forexample, determining the stochastic distribution of isotopologues formethane involves knowledge of the δ¹³C and δD signatures of methane.Under equilibrium conditions, the non-random processes may betemperature-time dependent isotopic exchange reactions in somehydrocarbons. For example, multiply substituted isotopologue signaturesin methane appear to provide equilibrium gas generation temperatures(See, e.g., (2014) Stolper et al., Formation temperature of thermogenicand biogenic methane, Science, Vol. 344, pp. 1500-1503).

In addition to the size of the signatures, the time required for theseprocesses to affect the signature may also differ from compound tocompound. Integration of measured multiply substituted isotopologuesignatures and position specific isotope signatures of multiplehydrocarbon species with an understanding of the kinetic properties ofthese species provides unique constraints on both the temperature atwhich hydrocarbons are generated or stored in the subsurface and thelength of time these hydrocarbons have been stored.

Kinetic properties of multiply substituted isotopologues signatures andposition specific isotope signatures may be derived from laboratoryexperiments or modeling approaches. For example, some species maydevelop a signature that does not change over timescales of billions ofyears if conditions or reactions change. One example of this may bemethane, which appears to develop a multiply substituted isotopologuesignature that is dominantly sensitive to temperature. This signatureappears to develop during generation of the methane, and is then lockedin or retained even if the methane is transported to a colderenvironment and stored (See, e.g., (2014), Stolper et al., Formationtemperature of thermogenic and biogenic methane, Science, Volume 344,pp. 1500-1503). That is, the reaction for methane to change at differenttemperature is too slow to have any impact over the time scale ofinterest (e.g., the change may involve one or more billion years). Incontrast, other molecules that are sensitive to temperature may trackchanges in temperature over short timescales. For example, decane mayinitially develop a signature that records the temperature at which itwas generated, but this signature may subsequently change to reflectincreases or decreases in the temperature at which the compound residesover timescales of years. By measuring the clumped and position specificisotope signatures of multiple hydrocarbon compounds that have differentrates of reaction, different information about the history of thehydrocarbons following generation may be determined. The hydrocarbongeneration, entrapment and/or storage temperatures derived from themeasured signatures are then integrated with a basin model of the areaof interest, which can be used to constrain the time at which thehydrocarbons in the source and/or reservoir reached these temperatures.This information can then be integrated alongside other contextualinformation to constrain timing of certain hydrocarbon systemcomponents, which can be used to address questions in hydrocarbon systemanalysis and lessen uncertainty. Various aspects of the presenttechniques are described further in FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational diagram 100 of components of a hydrocarbonsystem in a subsurface region. In this diagram 100, components andprocesses in a hydrocarbon system are provided for a subsurface region102, which are at least partially below a body of water 104. Theprocesses of a hydrocarbon system involve generation, migration, trapformation, accumulation or leakage to a seep, and/or preservation. Thecomponents of the hydrocarbon system include various portions of aformation, such as source rocks 106, reservoir rocks 108, and seal rocks110. Hydrocarbon system analysis may involve determining sourcepresence, source maturation, trap presence, migration pathways,reservoir presence, trap seal presence and timing. The hydrocarbons maybe produced through a wellbore 126.

As an example, the hydrocarbon system process may involve various stepsto form current hydrocarbon accumulation locations. First, hydrocarbonsare generated, which occurs in source rock 106. Then, the hydrocarbonsmigrate from the source rock 106 through faults and fractures, such asfractures 111, as shown by arrows 112, 114, 116 and 118. Hydrocarbonsaccumulate in a reservoir. Accumulation of hydrocarbons can only occurif a trapping structure is present at the same time or beforehydrocarbons migrate through the reservoir rock 108 if an adequate sealrock 110 is in place. Hydrocarbons can be stored in an accumulation andpreserved, as shown by the seal rocks 110 or may be altered by afracture, as shown by fault 120. If limited by subsurface geology, thehydrocarbons may be trapped in hydrocarbon accumulations, such as a gasreservoir and/or an oil/gas reservoir. Hydrocarbons may exit thesubsurface, for example by seeping into the body of water 104 via thefault 120, as shown by bubbles 122, and form an oil slick 124 on thesurface of the body of water 104.

The signatures measured from hydrocarbons may be integrated according todisclosed methodologies and techniques herein to address components inhydrocarbon system analysis. In particular, the present techniques maydetermine the presence and level of thermal maturity of source(s) ofhydrocarbons in the subsurface as well as presence and timing of trapand seal components. If the presence of source rocks, extent ofmaturation, timing of migration or trap or seal presence and theefficiency of trapping can be determined, it is possible to develop orrefine exploration, development, and production strategies for moreefficient capture and production of subsurface hydrocarbonsaccumulations.

As one example, in hydrocarbon system where there is adequate charge andmigration is assumed to be instantaneous, the generation temperature ofhydrocarbons may serve as a proxy for the time at which a trap andeffective seal was present and the time at which hydrocarbons startedaccumulating, which is discussed further in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram 200 of a method for determining trap andadequate seal timing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent techniques. In this flow diagram 200, various steps areperformed to that utilize multiply substituted isotopologue signatureand/or position specific isotope signature to determine thetime-temperature history of the source to predict hydrocarbongeneration.

At block 202, a sample of hydrocarbons is obtained. This sample may bein the form of oil and/or gas obtained from the subsurface, at a surfacelocation, such as a seep, and may be in the form of free oil or gas ormay be trapped within a rock sample.

At block 204, the sample is analyzed for geochemical signatures. Thegeochemical signatures include multiply substituted isotopologuesignature and/or position specific isotope signature. The geochemicalsignatures may also comprise bulk composition, isotopic signatures,molecular geochemistry, multiply substituted isotopologue and orposition specific isotope geochemistry, and physical parameters such asfreezing or boiling points of a given compound. For example, if methane,the primary chemical component of natural gases, it is possible toinvestigate the potential of forming the clumped doubly substitutedisotopologue ¹³CH₃D, and the doubly substituted isotopologue ¹²CH₂D₂.The measurement of the absolute abundance of isotopologues for any givenhydrocarbon involves knowledge of the molecular mass at which they arepresent, and involves knowledge of the actual identity of each possibleisotopologue for that species. Measurement of the abundance of eachisotopologue and fragment for position specific isotope determinationcan be conducted using multiple techniques such as mass spectrometryand/or laser-based spectroscopy.

Then, at block 206, the historical temperature recorded by the multiplysubstituted isotopologue signature and/or position specific isotopesignature is determined for any given hydrocarbon. Historicaltemperature is an equilibrium signature that can be predicted bymolecular modeling of equilibrium concentrations of multiply substitutedisotopologues or positional effects, or may be determined empirically bymeasurements of signatures of a given hydrocarbon compound at differenttemperatures either in the presence or absence of a catalyst toaccelerate equilibrium. Different hydrocarbon species have differentrates of equilibration in multiply substituted isotopologues. Forexample, methane records methane generation temperature and preservesthis signature even when exposed to different temperatures. In contrast,a molecule such as decane may give a historical temperature thatreflects the temperature at which it has been stored over the pastseveral years because it can undergo intra-molecular isotope exchangeover faster timescales than methane. Historical temperatures obtainedfrom the clumped or position specific isotope signatures may bedifferent for different species because each of these hydrocarboncompounds record different parts of the history of the bulk hydrocarbongiven their different kinetic behaviors.

In block 208, a time-temperature history is developed for the sourceinterval and the hydrocarbon generation timing is predicted using basinmodeling. The source interval may include source rock that ispotentially present in the subsurface using basin modeling approaches.Source rock maturity may be known if source rocks are penetrated andsampled during drilling activities. Accordingly, these approaches shouldbe calibrated with direct temperature information (e.g., from fluidinclusion temperatures) or indirect maturity information (e.g.,vitrinite, molecular geochemistry etc.). From this thermal history, thetiming of hydrocarbon generation can be predicted using maturationmodels. See, e.g., Sweeney and Burnham, Evaluation of a simple model ofvitrinite reflectance based on chemical kinetics, AAPG Bulletin, Vol.74, No. 10, pp. 1559-1570, 1990.

In block 210, the trap or sealing timing is determined. The time atwhich an effective trap or adequate seal was in place that has trappedthe accumulated hydrocarbons may be determined from differentapproaches.

As one example, the trap or sealing timing may be determined bycomparison of a measured multiply substituted isotopologue temperaturethat does not equilibrate following generation (e.g., methane) with thecalculated volume weighted average temperature that arises assuming thatall hydrocarbons are trapped following generation. A volume weightedaverage temperature can be determined for any given hydrocarbon compoundby calculating the volume of hydrocarbons generated at eachtime-temperature interval as a function of the time-temperature history.From this calculation, the average temperature of hydrocarbon generationcan be calculated by multiplying the temperature by the volume producedat that temperature and dividing by the total volume of hydrocarbonsgenerated. This initial temperature may be the average generationtemperature, which may be recorded for example in methane. If themeasured and modeled average temperatures match, then the trap and anadequate seal have been present at least at the time of hydrocarbongeneration initiation. If the measured and modeled average temperaturesdo not match, then a statistical technique can be used to determine thetemperature at which hydrocarbons began or finished accumulating. Thetemperature at which hydrocarbons begin accumulating, as determined fromthis process, can be converted to a time by using the time-temperaturehistory developed in block 208 and is the latest point at which anadequate trap and seal could be present.

As a second example, the trap or sealing timing may be determined bydetermining the minimum residence time of the fluids through comparisonof the multiply substituted isotopologue temperatures of differenthydrocarbon compounds and statistical techniques (such as, forward orinverse modeling) to calculate the residence time of these fluids givenan initial starting temperature of hydrocarbon generation (given eitherfrom calculation of the volume weighted average temperature ofgeneration as per the above example, or through measurement of thetemperature of a hydrocarbon that does not equilibrate followinggeneration) through knowledge of the kinetic behavior of differentcompounds. Rates of equilibration, or the kinetic behavior, fordifferent hydrocarbon species can be determined through molecularmodeling approaches. Given a known measured present day temperature forany given compound obtained in block 206, an initial temperature ofgeneration determined above, and a quantified rate of equilibration, thetime required to get to the current day temperature may be determinedusing multiple approaches that may comprise an inverse modelingapproach. This can be repeated for each temperature obtained for ahydrocarbon in block 206 to obtain a potential range in residence times.This range in residence time is therefore the minimum point at which aneffective trap and adequate seal have been present to develop thepresent day hydrocarbon accumulation.

In block 212 an exploration, development, and/or production strategy isdeveloped or refined using information obtained in block 210. Forexample, one can use information about known trap and seal timing, andthere relative timing with respect to source rock maturation, todetermine the events which gave rise to these trapping and structuresand seals regionally. Given knowledge of the regional controls on trapand seal timing and an understanding of when source rocks begangenerating in the region, other prospects and structures that maypre-date, are co-incident with or post-date the trapping structuresdetermined in block 210 may be targeted to further explore and developfor hydrocarbons.

These strategies may then be used to produce hydrocarbons from thesubsurface accumulations in block 214. Producing hydrocarbon may includeoperations, such as modeling the location to drill a well, directingacquisition of data for placement of a well, drilling a well, buildingsurface facilities to produce the hydrocarbons, along with otheroperations conducted in and/or associated with the well after the wellis completed. Accordingly, producing hydrocarbons includes hydrocarbonextraction, along with injection of gas or liquid for increasing drivepressure, mobilizing the hydrocarbon or treating by, for examplechemicals or hydraulic fracturing the wellbore to promote increasedflow, well servicing, well logging, and other well and wellboretreatments.

As an example, the ¹³C-D multiply substituted isotopologue signature ofmethane records methane generation temperature. Biogenic methane gas maybe generated over a temperature interval of 0 to 80° C. A thermalhistory of a particular reservoir or source unit can be estimated usinga calibrated basin model. Basin modeling may be used to calculate howmuch biogenic gas is produced at a given temperature and/or over atime-temperature history. This results in a time-temperaturedistribution of gas formation from which an average gas generationtemperature can be calculated for the total gas volume. This can then becompared with the methane multiply substituted isotopologue temperaturethat records methane generation temperature. If the two temperatures aredifferent, a statistical model can be used to determine what minimum andmaximum trapping temperature for the bulk gas volume is involved toaccount for the measured methane temperature. From this calculation orinformation, a time of seal formation or trap competency can bedetermined.

As another example, a similar process can be used to constrain sealtiming in thermogenic systems. In this example, hydrocarbons that retaina generation temperature over timescales of accumulation can be used toconstrain seal timing. In thermogenic systems, however, additionalconstraints provided by multiply substituted isotopologue, positionspecific effect measurements and the associated kinetic properties ofhigher hydrocarbons (not produced in biogenic gases) provides anindependent verification on temperature-time. Smaller hydrocarbonspreserve generation temperatures for longer timescales and provideconstrains on maturation timing, while co-existing larger hydrocarbonsthat equilibrate to reservoir temperatures over shorter timescales canalso be used to bracket residence times of hydrocarbons within theaccumulations.

As another example of how an enhanced hydrocarbon system analysis can beused to develop or refine exploration, development, or productionstrategies, if trap timing is known and precedes maturation timing, theintegration of multiply substituted isotopologue or position specificeffect temperatures of hydrocarbons with basin modeling may be used toinfer generation timing or the efficiency with which the trap hasaccumulated hydrocarbons.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram 300 of a method for determining source maturityand maturation timing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent techniques. In this flow diagram 300, various steps areperformed to that utilize multiply substituted isotopologue signatureand/or position specific isotope signature to determine the sourcematurity and maturation timing to predict hydrocarbon generation.

The method begins at block 302. In block 302, a sample of hydrocarbonsis obtained. This sample can be in the form of oil and/or gas obtainedfrom the subsurface, at a surface location such as a seep, and is in theform of free oil or gas or may be trapped within a rock sample, whichmay be similar to block 202 of FIG. 2.

At block 304, the sample is analyzed for geochemical signatures. Similarto the discussion of block 204 of FIG. 2, the geochemical signatures maycomprise bulk composition, isotopic signatures, molecular geochemistry,multiply substituted isotopologue and or position specific isotopegeochemistry, and physical parameters such as freezing or boiling pointsof a given compound. If methane, the primary chemical component ofnatural gases, is used as an example, it is possible to investigate thepotential of forming the clumped doubly substituted isotopologue ¹³CH₃D,and the doubly substituted isotopologue ¹²CH₂D₂. The measurement of theabsolute abundance of isotopologues for any given hydrocarbon involvesknowledge of the molecular mass at which they are present, and involvesknowledge of the actual identity of each possible isotopologue for thatspecies. Measurement of the abundance of each isotopologues and fragmentfor position specific isotope determination can be conducted usingmultiple techniques, such as mass spectrometry and/or laser-basedspectroscopy.

In block 306, the historical temperature recorded by the multiplysubstituted isotopologue signature and/or position specific isotopesignature is determined for any given hydrocarbon. This determinationmay be performed similar to the calculations noted above in block 206 ofFIG. 2.

In block 308, the determined temperature is considered along withinformation on when the trap and seal were present and effective todetermine the maturity of a source rock and determine hydrocarbongeneration timing. Constraints on the timing of trap presence can beprovided, for example, by observations from surface geology orinterpretations of geophysical data (e.g., seismic reflection data) thatprovide relative timing of deformation in the subsurface.Biostratigraphy analysis may also be used to age date particularlithologies, so that the information from relative timing of structuredeformation can be converted to an absolute time scale. Constraints onadequate seal timing can be provided by, for example, determining thedepth to which rocks have to be buried to develop sufficient competenceto hold and store a given column height of hydrocarbons within anunderlying structure.

The historical temperatures derived in block 306 are then used todetermine the present day temperature or, if the temperature has beenhigher in the past, the maximum burial temperature. This can be done byconsidering the temperature of a compound that preserves generationtemperature (e.g., methane) or by back calculating initial generationtemperature from a known present day temperature, a thermal history forthat reservoir, and the kinetics associated with isotope exchange andtemperature sensitivity for any given compound.

The temperature provided by the multiply substituted isotopologue and/orposition specific effect measurement is the volume weighted averagetemperature, which represents a mixture of gases produced over sometemperature range. The minimum and maximum gas generation temperaturesreflected in the volume weighted average temperature may be determinedusing different approaches. One such approach may include assuming theminimum temperature at which any gas is likely to have been generated(e.g., 90° C.) and iteratively add gas volumes generated as a functionof increases in temperature (such information on hydrocarbon yield canbe provided from maturation and thermal cracking models from basinmodeling approaches) until the volume weighted average temperaturematches the measured temperature. The maximum temperature to provide themeasured multiply substituted isotopologue temperature is thereby thefinal temperature reached using this iterative approach. Alternatively,a statistical technique (e.g. inverse modeling) can be used as a secondapproach. In this approach, the maximum temperature experienced isdetermined by considering the present day temperature, assuming astarting temperature of gas generation, and de-convolving contributionsof gas on a volume-temperature related basis to calculate the maximumtemperature experienced.

A second approach is to measure multiple samples that likely preservesubtly different mixtures of gases with different minimum and maximumtemperatures. These signatures can then be plotted on a simple figure todefine a mixing line. A statistical inversion technique can then be usedto determine the absolute minimum and maximum temperatures that havecontributed hydrocarbons to the sample. For example, different mixturesof gas histories may be obtained from comparing temperatures fromhydrocarbons present in fluid inclusions (which preserve a record of gascomposition from some time prior to present day) with those present infree hydrocarbon phases. Additional analysis of the fluid inclusions toprovide gas inclusion composition or fluid API, for example, can also beintegrated with temperatures derived from multiply substitutedisotopologues or position specific isotope effects to further constrainhydrocarbon generation timing. In the instance that water inclusions arealso present, differences in trapping temperatures from fluid inclusionswith temperatures from hydrocarbon compounds (corrected for isotopeexchange reactions over a time-temperature history given equilibrationrates for that compound in some hydrocarbons or not for those thatpreserve generation temperature) can be interpreted to constrain andcalibrate thermal histories to determine hydrocarbon generation timing.

Further, a third approach may involve analyzing the historicaltemperatures provided in block 306 of multiple hydrocarbon compounds.Knowledge of the kinetic behavior or rates of equilibration of thesedifferent compounds can be used alongside a thermal history to backcalculate initial volume weighted average generation temperatures of thedifferent compounds. From this mixture, the minimum and maximum gasgeneration temperatures reflected in the volume weighted averagetemperature using different approaches, as described above, may bedetermined.

Then, once the present day or previous maximum burial temperature hasbeen determine, the time at which hydrocarbons began generating can bedetermined. This calculation may involve integrating maximum burialtemperatures with knowledge of hydrocarbon maturation kinetics (e.g.,provided by models, such as Sweeney and Burnham, 1989) andtime-temperature histories provided by basin modeling approaches.

In block 310, an exploration, development, and/or production strategy isdeveloped using information obtained in 308. For example, theinformation about known maturity and maturation timing may be used alongwith the relative timing with respect to trap and seal, to identifywhich structures were in place prior to maturation and hydrocarboncharge. Given knowledge of the relative difference between maturationtiming and trap and seal timing locally and regionally, other prospectsand structures may be targeted, which are likely to host hydrocarbonaccumulations for further exploration and development.

These strategies may then be used to produce hydrocarbons from thesubsurface accumulations in block 312. The production of hydrocarbonsmay be similar to the discussion of block 214 of FIG. 2.

As another example of how an improved hydrocarbon system analysis can beused to develop or refine exploration, development, or productionstrategies, if maturation timing is known or can be predicted for eachsource rock potentially present in the subsurface, multiply substitutedisotopologue or position specific effect temperatures of hydrocarbonsmeasured from samples may be used to determine the source that generatedthe sampled hydrocarbons when multiple sources are present. Given someunderstanding on likely source type, this may be used to infer regionalpotential for further oil and gas accumulations.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 of a method for determining the source ofhydrocarbons in the subsurface in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present techniques. In this flow diagram 400, varioussteps are performed to that utilize multiply substituted isotopologuesignature and/or position specific isotope signature to determine thesource of hydrocarbons in the subsurface.

In block 402, a sample of hydrocarbons is obtained. This sample can bein the form of oil and/or gas obtained from the subsurface, at a surfacelocation (e.g., a seep), and is in the form of free oil or gas or istrapped within a rock sample, which may be similar to block 202 of FIG.2.

At block 404, the sample is analyzed for a variety of geochemicalsignatures. Similar to block 204 of FIG. 2, the geochemical signaturesmay include bulk composition, isotopic signatures, moleculargeochemistry, multiply substituted isotopologue and or position specificeffect geochemistry, and physical parameters such as freezing or boilingpoints of a given compound. If methane, the primary chemical componentof natural gases, is used as an example, it is possible to investigatethe potential of forming the clumped doubly substituted isotopologue¹³CH₃D, and the doubly substituted isotopologue ¹²CH₂D₂. The measurementof the absolute abundance of isotopologues for any given hydrocarbonrequires knowledge of the molecular mass at which they are present, andhence requires knowledge of the actual identity of each possibleisotopologue for that species. Measurement of the abundance of eachisotopologues and fragment for position specific isotope determinationcan be conducted using multiple techniques such as mass spectrometryand/or laser-based spectroscopy.

Then, in block 406, the historical temperature recorded by the multiplysubstituted isotopologue signature and/or position specific isotopesignature is determined for any given hydrocarbon. This determinationmay be similar to the determination made in block 206, as noted in FIG.2.

In block 408, the initial hydrocarbon temperatures may be determined bycorrecting measured temperatures for any changes that have developed asa function of time-temperature history determined from basin modelingapproaches. The historical temperatures derived in block 406 may be usedto determine the present day temperature or, if the temperature has beenhigher in the past, the maximum temperature experienced by anyhydrocarbon compound. This determination may be performed based on thetemperature of a compound that preserves generation temperature (e.g.methane) or by back calculating initial generation temperature from aknown present day temperature, a thermal history for that reservoir, andthe kinetics associated with isotope exchange and temperaturesensitivity for any given compound.

As described above, the temperature provided by the multiply substitutedisotopologue or position specific effect measurement is the volumeweighted average temperature, which represents a mixture of gasesproduced over some temperature range. One can determine the minimum andmaximum gas generation temperatures reflected in the volume weightedaverage temperature using different approaches. Examples of suchapproaches are noted above in the discussion associated with block 308.

In block 410, the source rock from which the hydrocarbons were generatedis determined. This determination may include using the maximumtemperature that has been determined for each hydrocarbon compound inblock 408 and comparing this maximum temperature to modeled volumeweighted hydrocarbon temperatures for different compounds for eachsource rock that is present in the subsurface. Based on this comparisona determination is made as to which source rock produced thehydrocarbons sampled. This comparison may be performed using multipleapproaches. One approach may include using basin modeling approaches todetermine a time-temperature history for the source rock. Then, thevolume weighted average temperature can be modeled for each compound byconsidering the volume of hydrocarbons generated as a function of timeand temperature for each source rock (e.g., provided by models such asSweeney and Burnham, 1989), a time-temperature history for the sourcerock and from data for the rates of equilibration for each hydrocarboncompound considered.

In some situations, multiple source rocks may have producedhydrocarbons. In such examples, statistical models can be used tocalculate volume weighted average temperatures for each hydrocarboncompound when the sample represents a mixture of differently sourcedhydrocarbons. Relative timing of source rock maturation can be usedalongside knowledge of trap timing to model mixtures from the differentsource intervals.

Consideration of temperatures in block 410 can also be performed inconjunction with other geochemical techniques, such as moleculargeochemistry, which may be used to determine the maturity and sourcefacies of the source rock that generated the hydrocarbons. They may alsobe used to determine geologic ages if biomarkers unique to specific timeperiods can be identified in the hydrocarbon sample. This informationcan then be used to determine the most likely source rock to haveproduced the hydrocarbons.

In block 412, an exploration, development, or production strategy isdeveloped or refined. The development or refinement may involve usinginformation obtained in block 408. For example, the information aboutwhich source interval is mature and producing hydrocarbons may beutilized to predict fluids that are likely to be present elsewhere in abasin. Further, if an oil prone source rock is shown to be mature andproducing gas, while a shallower gas prone source rock is shown to benot contributing significant volumes of gas to the sample analyzed, anexploration strategy may be developed to explore for the deeper sourcerock to be producing oil at shallower depths elsewhere in the basin thatis subsequently stored in accumulations. Therefore, given knowledge ofthe source of hydrocarbons carbons within a basin and the relativematurities and volumes of hydrocarbons generated from these differentsource rocks, other prospects and structures that are more likely tohost hydrocarbon accumulations to may be targeted to further explore anddevelop the subsurface regions.

These strategies may then be used to produce hydrocarbons from thesubsurface accumulations in block 414. The production of hydrocarbonsmay be similar to the discussion of block 214 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computer system 500 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present techniques. A central processingunit (CPU) 502 is coupled to system bus 504. The CPU 502 may be anygeneral-purpose CPU, although other types of architectures of CPU 502(or other components of exemplary system 500) may be used as long as CPU502 (and other components of system 500) supports the inventiveoperations as described herein. The CPU 502 may execute the variouslogical instructions according to various exemplary embodiments. Forexample, the CPU 502 may execute machine-level instructions forperforming processing according to the operational flow described above.

The computer system 500 may also include computer components such as arandom access memory (RAM) 506, which may be SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, or thelike. The computer system 500 may also include read-only memory (ROM)508, which may be PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or the like. RAM 506 and ROM 508hold user and system data and programs, as is known in the art. Thecomputer system 500 may also include an input/output (I/O) adapter 510,a communications adapter 522, a user interface adapter 524, and adisplay adapter 518. The I/O adapter 510, the user interface adapter524, and/or communications adapter 522 may, in certain embodiments,enable a user to interact with computer system 500 in order to inputinformation.

The I/O adapter 510 preferably connects a storage device(s) 512, such asone or more of hard drive, compact disc (CD) drive, floppy disk drive,tape drive, etc., to computer system 500. The storage device(s) may beused when RAM 506 is insufficient for the memory requirements associatedwith storing data for operations of embodiments of the presenttechniques. The data storage of the computer system 500 may be used forstoring information and/or other data used or generated as disclosedherein. The communications adapter 522 may couple the computer system500 to a network (not shown), which may enable information to be inputto and/or output from system 500 via the network (for example, theInternet or other wide-area network, a local-area network, a public orprivate switched telephony network, a wireless network, any combinationof the foregoing). User interface adapter 524 couples user inputdevices, such as a keyboard 528, a pointing device 526, and the like, tocomputer system 500. The display adapter 518 is driven by the CPU 502 tocontrol, through a display driver 516, the display on a display device520. Information and/or representations pertaining to a portion of asupply chain design or a shipping simulation, such as displaying datacorresponding to a physical or financial property of interest, maythereby be displayed, according to certain exemplary embodiments.

The architecture of system 500 may be varied as desired. For example,any suitable processor-based device may be used, including withoutlimitation personal computers, laptop computers, computer workstations,and multi-processor servers. Moreover, embodiments may be implemented onapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or very large scaleintegrated (VLSI) circuits. In fact, persons of ordinary skill in theart may use any number of suitable structures capable of executinglogical operations according to the embodiments.

For example, the computer system 500 may include a processor; memory incommunication with the processor; and a set of instructions stored inmemory and accessible by the processor. The set of instructions may beused to determine hydrocarbon system process, such as seal timing ortrap timing and may be used to provide or display an exploration,development, or production strategy. The set of instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, may be configured to: analyze a hydrocarbonsample associated with a subsurface source interval for a geochemicalsignature, wherein the geochemical signature comprises a multiplysubstituted isotopologue signature and/or a position specific isotopesignature for a one or more specific hydrocarbon compound; determine oneor more historical temperatures based on the multiply substitutedisotopologue signature and/or position specific isotope signature;define one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency andcharge efficiency based on the determined one or more historicaltemperatures; and develop or refine an exploration, development, orproduction strategy based on the defined one or more of seal timing,trap timing, migration efficiency and charge efficiency.

In other embodiments, the computer system may include set ofinstructions that are configured to perform other operations. Forexample, the set of instructions may be configured to determine one ormore historical temperatures, are further configured to: compare methaneisotopes to a different hydrocarbon isotope to compare temperatureequilibration rates. Also, the set of instructions may be configured todevelop a time-temperature history of the source interval or a reservoirinterval; compare the one or more historical temperatures with modeltemperatures predicted using a basin model; and determine the timing ofthe one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency andcharge efficiency from the comparison. Also, the set of instructionsthat are configured to perform maturation modeling using a basin modelcalibrated from one or more of fluid inclusion temperatures and indirectmaturity information about the source interval.

Further, in other embodiments, the set of instructions may include otherfeatures. For example, the set of instructions may be configured todevelop a time-temperature history of the source interval; determinetiming of hydrocarbon generation from the source interval using a basinmodel; and determine seal timing by comparing at least one of the one ormore historical temperatures with at least one of model average gasgeneration temperatures predicted using a basin model or throughdetermination of a residence time of hydrocarbons in a reservoirinterval. Also, the set of instructions may be configured to develop atime-temperature history of the source interval; determine timing ofhydrocarbon generation from the source interval using basin modeling;and determine trap timing by at least one of comparing at least one ofthe one or more historical temperatures with at least one of modelaverage gas generation temperatures predicted using a basin model orthrough determination of the residence time of hydrocarbons in areservoir interval. Further still, the instructions may be configuredto: compare a present day measured multiply substituted isotopologuetemperature that provides generation temperature with a modelledgeneration temperature calculated from the basin model based on adetermined volume weighted average gas generation temperature; and/ordetermine a minimum residence time of hydrocarbons through comparison ofthe present day multiply substituted isotopologue temperatures ofdifferent hydrocarbon compounds and statistical techniques to calculatethe residence time of the hydrocarbons given an initial startingtemperature of hydrocarbon generation through knowledge of the kineticbehavior of different compounds. Moreover, the set of instructions maybe configured to: predict trap and seal timing with a basin model;compare the determined temperatures with predictions of trap and sealtiming to calibrate the basin model and to determine source maturity andgeneration timing.

FIG. 6 is a graph 600 of a hydrocarbon volume generation profile inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present techniques. Inthis graph 600, a representative hydrocarbon yield profile response 606is shown along a temperature axis 604 in degree C. and an incrementalhydrocarbon yield produced by source rock axis 602 in Bbl or MScf/km² ofsource rock per million years. Also, a volume weighted averagetemperature of all gas produced calculated from this modeled hydrocarbonyield profile is shown along line 608 and a measured multiplysubstituted isotopologue or position specific isotope temperature isshown along line 610. The figure provides an example of how the modeledand measured temperatures may be compared in FIGS. 2 to 4. In graph 600,the measured temperature is greater than the modeled averagetemperature, which suggests that hydrocarbon produced during the earlystages of maturation was either not trapped because there was nostructure to store the hydrocarbon or was not stored because the sealwas not of adequate integrity to maintain the pressure generated by theaccumulated hydrocarbons. It could also be used to demonstrate thehydrocarbons generated did not originate from the source intervalmodeled in example of FIG. 4.

It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detaileddescription of specific embodiments of the invention and that numerouschanges, modifications, and alternatives to the disclosed embodimentscan be made in accordance with the disclosure here without departingfrom the scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore,is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope ofthe invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and theirequivalents. It is also contemplated that structures and featuresembodied in the present examples can be altered, rearranged,substituted, deleted, duplicated, combined, or added to each other.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for exploration, production, anddevelopment of hydrocarbons comprising: obtaining a sample comprisinghydrocarbons associated with a subsurface source interval; analyzing thesample for a geochemical signature, wherein the geochemical signaturecomprises one or more of a multiply substituted isotopologue signatureand a position specific isotope signature for a one or more specifichydrocarbon compound; determining one or more historical temperaturesbased on the one or more of multiply substituted isotopologue signatureand position specific isotope signature; defining one or more of sealtiming, trap timing, migration efficiency and charge efficiency based onthe determined one or more historical temperatures; and developing orrefining an exploration, development, or production strategy based onthe defined one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migrationefficiency and charge efficiency.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining the one or more historical temperatures comprises comparingmethane isotopes to a different hydrocarbon isotope to comparetemperature equilibration rates.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereindefining the one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migrationefficiency and charge efficiency based on the determined one or morehistorical temperatures comprises: developing a time-temperature historyof the source interval or a reservoir interval; comparing the one ormore historical temperatures with model temperatures predicted using abasin model; and determining the one or more of seal timing, traptiming, migration efficiency and charge efficiency based on thedetermined one or more historical temperatures from the comparison. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein developing the time-temperature historyof the source or reservoir interval comprises using a basin modelcalibrated from one or more of fluid inclusion temperatures and indirectmaturity information about the source interval.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein defining one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migrationefficiency and charge efficiency is seal timing.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein defining one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migrationefficiency and charge efficiency is trap timing.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein defining one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migrationefficiency and charge efficiency comprises: developing atime-temperature history of the source and/or reservoir interval;determining timing of hydrocarbon generation from the source intervalusing basin modeling; and determining seal timing by comparing at leastone of the one or more historical temperatures with at least one ofmodel average gas generation temperatures predicted using a basin modelor through determination of a residence time of hydrocarbons in thereservoir interval.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein defining one ormore of seal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency and chargeefficiency comprises: developing a time-temperature history of thesource and/or reservoir interval; determining timing of hydrocarbongeneration from the source interval; and determining trap timing by atleast one of comparing at least one of the one or more historicaltemperatures with at least one of model average gas generationtemperatures predicted using a basin model or through determination ofthe residence time of hydrocarbons in the reservoir interval.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein determining trap timing comprises comparing apresent day measured multiply substituted isotopologue temperature thatprovides generation temperature with a modelled hydrocarbon generationtemperature calculated from the basin model based on a determined volumeweighted average hydrocarbon generation temperature.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein determining trap timing comprises determining a minimumresidence time of hydrocarbons through comparison of the historicalmultiply substituted isotopologue temperatures of different hydrocarboncompounds and statistical techniques to calculate the residence time ofthe hydrocarbons given an initial starting temperature of hydrocarbongeneration through knowledge of the kinetic behavior of differentcompounds.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein defining one or more ofseal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency and charge efficiencycomprises: predicting trap and seal timing with a basin model; comparingthe determined temperatures with predictions of trap and seal timing tocalibrate the basin model and to determine source maturity andgeneration timing.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the geochemicalsignatures comprise one or more of bulk composition, isotopicsignatures, molecular geochemistry, multiply substituted isotopologuegeochemistry, position specific isotope geochemistry, and physicalparameters.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising producinghydrocarbons based on the exploration, development, or productionstrategy.
 14. A computer system for exploration, production, anddevelopment of hydrocarbons comprising: a processor; memory incommunication with the processor; and a set of instructions stored inmemory and accessible by the processor, the set of instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, are configured to: analyze a hydrocarbonsample associated with a subsurface source interval for a geochemicalsignature, wherein the geochemical signature comprises one or more of amultiply substituted isotopologue signature and a position specificisotope signature for a one or more specific hydrocarbon compound;determine one or more historical temperatures based on the one or moreof multiply substituted isotopologue signature and position specificisotope signature; define one or more of seal timing, trap timing,migration efficiency and charge efficiency based on the determined oneor more historical temperatures; and develop or refine an exploration,development, or production strategy based on the defined one or more ofseal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency and charge efficiency.15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the set of instructionsthat are configured to determine one or more historical temperatures,are further configured to: compare methane isotopes to a differenthydrocarbon isotope to compare temperature equilibration rates.
 16. Thecomputer system of claim 14, wherein the set of instructions that areconfigured to define one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migrationefficiency and charge efficiency, are further configured to: develop atime-temperature history of the source and/or interval or a reservoirinterval; compare the one or more historical temperatures with modeltemperatures predicted using a basin model; and determine the timing ofthe one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency andcharge efficiency from the comparison.
 17. The computer system of claim16, wherein determining the timing of the one or more of seal timing,trap timing, migration efficiency and charge efficiency is determiningthe timing of seal timing or trap timing.
 18. The computer system ofclaim 16, wherein the set of instructions that are configured to developthe time-temperature history of the source and/or reservoir interval,are further configured to: perform maturation modeling using a basinmodel calibrated from one or more of fluid inclusion temperatures andindirect maturity information about the source interval.
 19. Thecomputer system of claim 16, wherein the set of instructions that areconfigured to define one or more of seal timing, trap timing, migrationefficiency and charge efficiency, are further configured to: develop atime-temperature history of the source and/or reservoir interval;determine timing of hydrocarbon generation from the source intervalusing a basin model; and determine seal timing by comparing at least oneof the one or more historical temperatures with at least one of modelaverage hydrocarbon generation temperatures predicted using a basinmodel or through determination of a residence time of hydrocarbons in areservoir interval.
 20. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the setof instructions that are configured to define one or more of sealtiming, trap timing, migration efficiency and charge efficiency, arefurther configured to: develop a time-temperature history of the sourceand/or reservoir interval; determine timing of hydrocarbon generationfrom the source interval using basin modeling; and determine trap timingby at least one of comparing at least one of the one or more historicaltemperatures with at least one of model average hydrocarbon generationtemperatures predicted using a basin model or through determination ofthe residence time of hydrocarbons in a reservoir interval.
 21. Thecomputer system of claim 20, wherein the set of instructions that areconfigured to determine trap timing, are further configured to: comparea present day measured multiply substituted isotopologue temperaturethat provides generation temperature with a modelled generationtemperature calculated from the basin model based on a determined volumeweighted average hydrocarbon generation temperature.
 22. The computersystem of claim 20, wherein the set of instructions that are configuredto determine trap timing, are further configured to: determine a minimumresidence time of hydrocarbons through comparison of the present daymultiply substituted isotopologue temperatures of different hydrocarboncompounds and statistical techniques to calculate the residence time ofthe hydrocarbons given an initial starting temperature of hydrocarbongeneration through knowledge of the kinetic behavior of differentcompounds.
 23. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the set ofinstructions that are configured to define one or more of seal timing,trap timing, migration efficiency and charge efficiency, are furtherconfigured to: predict trap and seal timing with a basin model; comparethe determined temperatures with predictions of trap and seal timing tocalibrate the basin model and to determine source maturity andgeneration timing.
 24. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the setof instructions that are configured to display the exploration,development, or production strategy.